Through the Darkness To You (Sasuke x Reader)

Just as we neared the Academy gates, four older boys blocked our path. They looked bored yet smug, like they were searching for trouble. One eyed Naruto's orange jumpsuit and snorted. "Well, if it isn't the loudmouth who thinks he can be Hokage," he drawled.

Naruto stopped, tension rippling through his posture. "What's it to you, dattebayo?" he shot back, though I noticed his voice wavered slightly.

A second boy scoffed, stepping closer. "No wonder nobody wants to be around you. You're a loser," he jeered, giving Naruto's shoulder a shove.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Fury bubbled up inside me—Naruto had done nothing to deserve this. I remembered all the times I'd been overlooked or pitied, and how I wished someone would've said something in my defense.

"Leave him alone," I snapped. My hands clenched into fists so tight my knuckles ached.

The tallest boy, who seemed to be their leader, turned his sneer toward me. "Oh, so this is the Senju half-breed I've been hearing about." He looked me up and down. "Hanging out with the village clown doesn't make you any better than him."

Naruto tried to speak, but his words caught in his throat. I saw hurt flash in his eyes, and that was all it took to push me over the edge.

"Move," I growled, stepping in front of Naruto. My mother's words—protect others—burned in my mind. "Now."

The tallest boy smirked. "Yeah? What if we don't?" He jerked his chin at one of his cronies, who promptly kicked at Naruto's legs. Naruto toppled forward, hitting the dirt with a muted thud. Pain and anger spiked in my gut.

"I said," I began, voice shaking, "leave him—"

Before I could finish, all four rushed me. My mind raced. I hadn't learned much ninjutsu yet, but I'd picked up enough to know how to dodge and throw a decent punch. The first boy lunged with a wild swing. I ducked, the air whooshing over my head, and slammed my shoulder into his chest. He stumbled backward, coughing.

A second boy sneered and grabbed at my arm. I wrenched myself free, ignoring the burn of his nails scraping my skin. My foot snapped out, catching him in the knee with enough force to knock him off-balance. An instant later, a fist clipped my shoulder. I hissed in pain, nearly losing my footing as I staggered.

"Y/N!" Naruto yelled, trying to stand, but another boy kicked him down again.

A flash of panic and rage shot through me. My scalp burned as someone yanked my hair from behind, jerking my head back. I felt tears sting my eyes, more from fury than fear. Swinging my elbow blindly, I made contact with a solid stomach. The boy behind me gasped, releasing my hair.

I spun around to see two of them momentarily stunned, while the tallest boy's lip trickled blood from where I'd caught him earlier. My heart hammered so loudly I could hardly hear my own thoughts. My arms trembled, muscles tight with adrenaline. Every bruise I'd collect in the next few seconds was worth it if it meant protecting Naruto.

"Touch him again," I growled, voice raw, "and I'll make you regret it."

For a split second, they looked uncertain—like they'd finally realized I wasn't going to roll over and submit. Then the tallest sneered, disgust twisting his features. "Fine, loser" he spat, wiping blood from his mouth. "Enjoy hanging around with the orange clown."

With a chorus of grumbling the four stomped away, throwing hostile looks over their shoulders. My chest rose and fell with every gasping breath, the aftershock of the fight leaving my body trembling. I forced my breathing to slow and rushed over to Naruto, who lay on his side, trying to catch his breath.